From the Founder 11-15-07
Thursday, November 15th, 2007I have not ventured into the medspa world yet for my own personal upkeep but am not turned off by the magic they offer.
As I was getting my nails done a couple of weeks ago, I was flipping through magazines and came across the Marie Claire article which grabbed my attention immediately because of my work with BalanceBoost. Also, 2 of my friends work in the medspa industry and the majority of my friends receive medspa treatments.
After reading the article and seeing the images of the incompetent work, it reminded me of one of my favorite TV shows, Nip/Tuck. In their second season one of their fellow plastic surgeons fell off the deep end and started working with, literally, a chop-shop salon where they were giving customers Botox and other medspa treatments in their storage room.
Even though a professionally educated plastic surgeon was performing the procedures, the business was clearly a nail and hair salon, the doctor was in a desperate situation due to a substance abuse problem which made the “practice” completely dangerous. In one episode a woman died from a botched procedure and they disposed of her body in a horrifying way, if you know what I mean.
Thankfully, that example comes from a television show. However, there are less severe instances of botched procedures that go on daily in medspas, and it is up to you to do your due diligence by asking detailed questions about the procedures and technicians, getting references from other patients, visiting multiple medspas, and making sure the procedure is worth the unknowns of having it done outside of a doctors office.
One of my friends that works in medspas is a Licensed Physician’s Assistant and performs laser hair removal and is now training for injectable treatments (Botox, Restylane, etc.). She told me about the other technicians at her former job’s lack of care, knowledge and sticking to protocol. She also told me about the business’ lack of quality assurance and control over these technicians, because apparently in Florida they are in high demand and there aren’t enough licensed technicians to fill all of the appointments. Due to all of the unprofessional situations she witnessed throughout her time with this business, she decided to quit.
Another friend who used to get laser treatment from her was telling me that his new technician at this business (which he continues to go to because of his contract) is good, but that the procedure is more painful than it was with my friend. After letting her know, she said that it was less painful with her because she actually does the hair removal on herself and has determined what technique is best for quality results and comfort for the patient.
Even though the majority of the technicians in medspas are not doctors, we are lucky to have someone as thorough and professional as my friend to perform these procedures. But, the bottom line is to make sure you do your homework and that medspa are not the place where price shopping is the best option.
Tiffany Houser
The Balance Group / BalanceBoost
